Review: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Author:  Greg McKeown

Genre:  Non-fiction (2014)

Descriptive Words:  Learn to set boundaries; discern what is essential; eliminate the trivial; say no, gracefully; live with intent

"If you don't prioritize your life, someone else will."

Rating:  4 1/2 out of 5

Thoughts :  I'm quite selective when it comes to book review requests, accepting only those with topics I'm highly interested in (patting self on back), so another rave review is hardly surprising.

Although I thought this book, listed under Business & Economics, would be aimed more towards those in the corporate world as opposed to me, a homemaker, such was not the case. The author provided a fabulous balance between specific business situations and general everyday situations, so everyone (even homemakers) could benefit from the tips and advice.  Most importantly, not only does the author tell what to do, he tells how.

 My favorite chapter was DARE:  The Power of a Graceful 'No.'  These sentences spoke to me:  "Have you ever felt a tension between what you felt was right and what someone was pressuring you to do?  Have you ever felt the conflict between your internal conviction and an external action?  Have you ever said yes when you meant no simply to avoid conflict or friction? Have you ever felt too scared or timid to turn down an invitation or request from a boss, colleague, friend, neighbor, or family member for fear of disappointing them? If you have, you're not alone."  This chapter alone was reason enough to read the book.

Other favorite chapters:

• Progress (the power of small wins) 
• Subtract (removing obstacles) 
• Limit (setting boundaries) 
• Flow (the importance of routines)

I reserve 5-star ratings for books I finish in a day or two; i.e. those I can't put down, for which I've yet to find a Personal Success/Self-Help book that qualifies. Other than that, though, I give it 4  1/2 stars and plan to read it again. Highly recommend.  

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance

My dad and his brother played professional baseball for the Dodgers. When they were younger, they and their parents were champion archers; my dad won the national archery title at age 12 before focusing on baseball and basketball.

My brother played college basketball and baseball. Another brother was a volleyball player. My sister and I are both naturally coordinated and athletic.

My 19-year-old son, who is 6’11” plays college basketball, and my 13-year-old niece, who is projected to be 5’10” (soccer, basketball, volleyball) and 11-year-old nephew, who is projected to be 6’5” (basketball, baseball, volleyball) are talented athletes.

So, with all this athleticism in our family, I’ve always been curious…is it nature or nurture? (SPOILER:  It’s both.) When I saw the title of this book, I had to read it. So glad I did. Simply fascinating.

My favorite chapter, because of my son’s height, was The Vitruvian NBA Player, and I found these stats interesting: 

• “There are likely fewer than twenty thousand men between the ages of twenty and forty who are at least 6’8”.

• Based on the Census Bureau, and the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics, there is such a premium on extra height in the NBA that the probability of an American man between the ages of twenty and forty being a current NBA player rises nearly a full order of magnitude with every two-inch increase in height starting at six feet. For a man between six feet and 6’2”, the chance of his currently being in the NBA is five in a million. At 6’2” to 6’4”, that increases to twenty in a million.  For a man between 6’10” and seven feet tall, it rises to thirty-two thousand in a million, or 3.2 percent. 

• Of American men ages twenty to forty who stand seven feet tall, a startling 17 percent of them are in the NBA right now. Find six honest seven-footers, and one will be in the NBA.”

 Eric, honey, make your momma some money, would ya?!

I would have given this book 5 stars, but there were a couple of chapters that didn’t hold my interest quite as much as the others.  Still, the book was so well written and the research unbelievably thorough. I recommend this to anyone who likes sports science.

RATING:  4.5 / 5 

Review: Animal Wise by Virginia Morell

Animal Wise by Virginia Morell

Non-Fiction (2013)

How and what animals think is a topic I thought I'd be interested in.   Initially comparing it to my favorite book about animal emotions, When Elephants Weep by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, I struggled with the scientific aspect of Animal Wise. Despite it's subtitle, "The Thoughts and Emotions of Our Fellow Creatures," in the book Morell states that although cognition and emotion operate on the same pathway of the brain, less is known about emotion because researchers have not discovered how to study it. And it is because of this proclaimed inability to study animal emotions that critics of Masson's book regard him as guilty of anthropomorphizing.  I myself am guilty of such, which is probably why I enjoyed his book as much as I did.  That said, Animal Wise is a well researched, well-documented book based on actual animal experiments.

Several animals are highlighted in the book:  Dolphins, Ants, Chimpanzees, Rats, Fish, Birds, and Parrots specifically, Elephants, Dogs and Wolves. My favorite chapters were on ants - it's incredible how much they "communicate" and work together - and rats, which I despise, but found interesting that they love to be tickled! And I love everything about elephants, another chapter favorite. Morell may have stated why the animals highlighted were chosen; if so, I don't remember.

Putting aside my initial disappointment that this book was less about animal emotions and more about cognition, I was finally able to enjoy it. It's wonderful to learn how deeply invested scientists and biologists are in understanding the animal world. As this book proves, animals know a lot more than we think they do.

I recommend this book if you have a serious love for animals. It will strengthen your love and broaden your knowledge.

Rating:  4/5

Thank you to Crown Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not otherwise compensated.

Review: Law Man: My Story of Robbing Banks, Winning Supreme Court Cases, and Finding Redemption

Author:  Shon Hopwood (with Dennis Burke)

Genre:  Memoir (2012)

About:  Shon Hopwood was a good kid from a loving family. He played high school basketball, had friends and attended church.  After serving in the Navy and bored at home with no job prospects or money, Shon enlisted the help of his friend to rob a bank. The thrill of the first robbery led to more. Four more, as a matter of fact. At age 23 he was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. While there, Shon worked in the prison law library and learned of his knack for learning the laws (not just breaking them!). He soon received respect - and requests for legal help - from his fellow inmates.  

Thoughts:  I enjoyed this.  My only annoyance was in Shon's discounting the seriousness of the robberies he committed.  He may as well have been recounting a trip to Disneyland.  Otherwise, his story is  positive and uplifting, and I can't help but think that his life circumstances - of robbing banks, serving time, working in the prison law library, becoming interested in law, having the right people placed in his path to continue law after prison, AND falling in love with a woman who stuck by his side through it all  - were orchestrated by God. Although he does mention a religious aspect to turning his life around, it's not a main focus of the book. One more thing...the pictures. I always love pictures to help me relate to the story and there were lots! 

Rating:  4/5 

*Thank you to Crown Publishing/Random House for this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: January First: A Child's Descent into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her

Author:  Michael Schofield

Genre:  Memoir (2012)

Descriptive Words:  Childhood schizophrenia, hallucinations, imaginary friends, hospitalization, violence

About:  Michael Schofield gives a heartbreaking and shocking glimpse into parenting a schizophrenic child. His 6-year-old daughter, January (Janni), is diagnosed with childhood onset schizophrenia after two years of misdiagnoses and inpatient stays, and being discharged despite lack of improvement. The family's journey is wrought with desperation and denial. Told first to simply provide "tough love" and stricter boundaries, the Schofields were forced to face the reality of schizophrenia when Janni indicated the constant presence of imaginary friends and demonstrated a desire to harm her newborn brother, with a clear inability to control herself.

My thoughts:  If not for life interrupting, I'd have finished this almost 300-pager in one sitting. Still, I read it in two days. Schofield's writing had me completely riveted. Having worked in Adult and Child Psychiatry for 15 years, I appreciate immensely the difficult task of loving a child with schizophrenia. I saw only from the perimeter what Schofield lived every day. Parents vacillate from wanting to help their child to wanting to institutionalize them, primarily because of the violence inflicted on themselves and others. With no cure in sight for this nightmarish illness, parents and families of loved ones afflicted should be applauded; there is no harder job in the world.

My friends and family rely on me for 5-star book recommendations so as not to waste time on less than stellar reads.  I'll be recommending this - my favorite book of the year so far - to everyone I know.

Rating:  5/5 

Thank you to Crown Publishing/Random House for this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Circus Fire ~ Stewart O'Nan

Stewart O'Nan
Non-Fiction (2001)

5/5  My Rating

True story of the Ringling Brothers circus tent fire in Hartford, Connecticut, on July 6, 1944, that killed 167 people, most of them women and children.

I didn't like Circus Fire at first.  I felt dragged down by all the details that I didn't think mattered, but as I got sucked into the story, realized they did and wished I'd paid closer attention.  There were so many, and the book was so long, that I had to renew it through the library twice.  Normally if I take that long to read a book I give up and return it, but I couldn't let go of this one and didn't want it to end.  Pictures of the fire itself as well as the aftermath had me going back to match them up with the parts of the story I was reading. I couldn't stop staring at the picture of Little Miss 1565 in the morgue, a blond little girl who for years was never properly identified despite tireless work by detectives.

I read O'Nan's book A Prayer for the Dying, a dark story that I thought was well written - odd but intriguing - so his name was familiar to me when I picked this up.  I'd like to read more of his work.  This and the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks are two of the most well-researched books I've ever read.

Review: Without a Word: How a Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything

Title:  Without a Word:  How a Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything

Author:  Jill Kelly

Genre:  Memoir/Christian Biography (September 2010)

About:  Football star Jim Kelly and his wife Jill find out their infant son has a rare, fatal illness and is expected to survive for only 14 months. This is the story of how Hunter Kelly, who succumbed to Krabbe Leukodystrophy at the age of 8, changed their lives forever.

Thoughts:  Absolutely loved this story. Jilly Kelly does a fabulous job of opening her heart, her life, her marriage, her struggles, and her reality to readers. Several pages of pictures are included, which is always my favorite part. I'm a visual person, so to be able to read the story and see the pictures made it all the more heartbreaking and inspirational. The book is faith-based, and I enjoyed reading about Jim Kelly's transformation from philanderer to faithful servant.

Source:  Library

Why I Chose:  This was everything I love in a book all wrapped in one - medical-related, sad but inspirational, lots of pictures, memoir, sports.

Recommend?  Yes, definitely.

Rating: 5/5

Reading Now:

Up Next:

Review: Operating Room Confidential: What Really Goes on When You Go Under

Author: Paul Whang, MD
Genre: Non-Fiction/Medical (2010)
About: The inside scoop of the operating room and hospital.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Written by an anesthetist, the book covers absolutely everything you wanted to know about what goes on in the operating room and during specific operations. There's also a chapter called "Outside the O.R." where he writes about the autopsy room, the morgue, pathology, the cafeteria and administration. There is an entire chapter on anesthesia, which was very interesting. Did you know the chances of having post-operative nausea increase more with these surgeries: plastic, eye, shoulder, gynecological and dental? And that you have a higher risk of nausea and vomiting if you're female, have experienced previous nausea and vomiting after surgery, are having a surgery lasting longer than 30 minutes, are a non-smoker, and have a history of motion sickness? I'm in the 'all of the above' category, unfortunately.

One of my favorite chapters, called Off-Label Truths About Doctors, noted the characteristics of specific medical professions. For example, urologists are a content and happy group with the lowest divorce rate of the specialties, are open minded and like to travel. Psychiatrists are thoughtful, over-analyze faults in their own lives, and have the highest divorce rate. Orthopedic surgeons have the most sex per week. General surgeons are close-minded and judgmental.

Oh yeah, and you can find out all the scoop about sex in the operating room, what doctors talk about while operating, people who wake up during an operation, pain, missing sponges, reactions to anesthesia.  It's all there.

Source:  Library

Why I Chose:  I love medical-related books.

Recommend?  Yes, especially if you are a medical junkie or will be having surgery and want to be informed.

Rating:  4/5

Review: Choosing to See: A Journey of Struggle and Hope

Author:   Mary Beth Chapman

Genre:  Memoir (2010)

About:  The wife of Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman talks about her life and of the death of her 5-year-old daughter, Maria, who was accidentally run over by her 17-year-old son, Will.

Thoughts:  I remember when this happened.  All I could think about was how in the world was this 17-year-old kid going to live with this for the rest of his life?

All my questions about the accident were answered and then some.  Mary Beth Chapman wrote not only about what happened that day in May 2008, but also about meeting her husband at age 19, getting married, having their three children and later adopting three little girls from China. What a loving, faithful family. The story and the writing were wonderful, and I love how many pictures there were.  I looked at them over and over. 

Source: Library

Why I Chose:  I was curious to know exactly how the accident happened and how the family was dealing with everything.  I always thought Will was backing up and hit Maria, but he was driving into the driveway as she was running towards the car.  She was excited he was home because she wanted him to lift her onto the monkey bar that she couldn't reach.

Recommend? Yes.

Rating:   4.5 / 5

Reading Now:  A Prayer for the Dying by Stewart O'Nan

Up Next:  Ape House by Sara Gruen

Abandoned:  A Small Furry Prayer by Steven Kotler.  I read 211 pages of this and gave up.  Sometimes I liked it, sometimes I didn't.  The good parts kept me reading for as long as I did, but finally I didn't care anymore and didn't want to finish the final 78 pages.



Review: Kicked, Bitten and Scratched: Life and Lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers

Author: Amy Sutherland
Genre: Memoir (2006)
About: The author follows students at the Exotic Animal Training and Management program at California's Moorpark Community College.

Liked...I loved this book. It had me hooked by page 2 when it said "every student must break a pigeon's neck with her hands, what they call pulling a pigeon, or gas a rat before she can graduate." I know, disgusting, but it's like driving by a car accident, I couldn't stop looking reading. Besides talk about sperm, vomit, pee, poop, and maybe some frozen chopped animal parts, that was about as gross as it got. Most people probably won't read this book, but if you have any interest at all in animals, it really is good.  It's like being a fly on the wall and learning the inside scoop of a place you'd more than likely never go.

The writing style was wonderful.  The author focused on enough students and animals to get a realistic picture of what goes on, but not so many that it was hard to keep track of them.  And it was so real.  Not only did a few animals die, not surprisingly, but so did one of the students.

*Wanna know why they have to pull the heads off pigeons and gas rats? It's because birds of prey and reptiles must have fresh prey. They can't hunt at the school facility, obviously, because they're in captivity, so the student caretakers must do it for them. How'd you like to have to do that for a final exam?

Didn't Like...I was disappointed there weren't any pictures and a few typos were distracting. That's it.

Source: I bought this at the Goodwill for 75 cents. A 5-star book for 75 cents...gotta love it.

Why I Chose: 1) I love animal books 2) for a minute when I was younger I wanted to be a dolphin trainer 3) I had never seen a book on this topic.  So basically it was on the shelf calling my name.

Recommend? If you like animals and/or are curious about what all goes on at a school for animal trainers, I absolutely recommend this book.

Rating: 5/5

Next Up:

I just started this last night and the writing is so choppy I'm having a hard time getting used to it.  I'm pluggin' away though, trying to adjust.



Reviews Cruise - Join Me! / Denial ~ Asta in the Wings ~ Knowing Jesse

Reviews stockpiled?  Bored with the same 'ol same 'ol?  Love reading but not too keen on writing reviews? Yeah, me too. So I thought I'd go on a Reviews Cruise to liven things up, relieve the pressure, and make more time for reading.  Short but sweet and a few at a time.  Sounds like a vacation, doesn't it? 

(Want to cruise with me?  See details at end of post.)
Denial

Jessica Stern is the author of this memoir published in June 2010.  It's about the author's rape at age 15 by a stranger at gunpoint in her own home.  Her 14-year-old sister was also raped. The police were skeptical of their story and the rapist was never caught. Interestingly, the author now works as an expert on terrorists and terrorism.  Overall I thought the book was okay.  I liked the psychological and PTSD aspect of the story, as well as the how, when, where and what happened. I liked how she related her father's trauma and after-effects of his being a Holocaust survivor to hers. PTSD is real, and I'm intrigued by the way people process trauma and how it shapes their lives forever. It was interesting that the author became a terrorist expert because, as she says, she was "fascinated by the secret motivations of violent men, and I'm good at ferreting them out." After the violent rape at age 15, she experienced an unusual reaction to fear; situations that most people would find terrifying caused her to retain her composure, become curious and empathetic. This "ability" created a perfect environment for making terrorists feel comfortable and getting them to talk. What I didn't like was how the author came across. I know it has much to do with the rape and subsequent PTSD - but her resentment, mostly towards her father, made her come across as unlikeable and emotionless. I felt bad for her father against whom she obviously still holds a grudge for not coming home from overseas immediately after the incident. He admits he didn't know what to do or how to help, but it happened 30 years ago. There's nothing he can do to change that. I also didn't like that she dragged him into the book so much at the end, detailing their "interview", when he obviously wasn't happy she wrote the book in the first place. I do hope she found healing from writing this book.

I won this book from NerdGirl in a contest, which I entered because I had seen the title around, heard good things about it and was interested in the topic.  I don't know if I'd recommend this book to my friends.  For me it was just okay and I rated it 3.5 / 5

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Knowing Jesse:  A Mother's Story of Grief, Grace, and Everyday Bliss


Marianne Leone is the author of this memoir published in September 2010.  It's about a woman and her husband and life with their son who was born with severe cerebral palsy and quadriplegia, was unable to speak and had severe seizures.  He died suddenly at age 17.  Overall I loved it.  I liked her writing style and the emotional, honest story she told. She admitted her shortcomings and came across as real but likeable. The love she had for her son was overwhelming, protective and beautiful.  She fought courageously for him to receive the best medical care, the best support system and caretakers, and the best education available.  There wasn't anything about this book I didn't like. 

I got this book from the library and chose it because of the synopsis and because I love memoirs.  I'm a sucker for stories about mothers and their children and how they are able to see the blessings in a situation others may see as a burden.  I would definitely recommend this book to friends and I rated it 5/5.
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Asta in the Wings

Jan Elizabeth Watson is the author of this novel published in February 2009.  It's about a 7-year-old girl and her 9-year-old brother who are kept in their boarded-up home by their mentally ill mother, who tells them she is protecting them from germs and "the plague." The story is told from 7-year-old Asta's point of view.  Overall I really liked it.  I liked how the mother encouraged her children to have a rich and creative imagination. She was cool in a weird way. Or weird in a cool way. Her children were "home-schooled" by watching and reciting line after line of old movies on TV, stemming from the mother's desire - and fueled by her delusions - to become an actress. She was quite a character :)  I loved Asta's spunk and determination, her willingness to overcome obstacles, her love for her brother, Orion, and her unconditional love for her mother, who did the best she could for her children despite her mental illness.  At first I wasn't sure I'd like this book. It was quirky and a little bizarre at the beginning. But once I got to know the children better and fell in love with the writing - the author paid great attention to detail but kept everything so on track - I didn't want it to end.  The only thing I didn't like and what kept it from being 5 stars was the ending, which was too abrupt for my taste.

I got this book from the library and chose it because Rebecca from ccq designs, a friend on Goodreads, gave it 5 stars, something she rarely does.  I had to check it out.  I also chose it because I'm intrigued by all things related to mental illness, child abuse and social issues.  I would recommend this to any of my friends, especially if they like quirky little books that normally they wouldn't pick up.  I rated it
4.5 / 5.

I don't have a button, but feel free to "take" your own Reviews Cruise and link up if you'd like.  Just mention my blog at http://lynnesbookreviews.blogspot.com  (copy and paste that there url). You can use my review format (provided below) or your own.  Remember, this is a stress-free, no pressure cruise, so make it simple and easy.   I'm button-challenged so this cruise is button-free :)

____________ is the author of this _______(genre) published in _____________.  It's about _______.  Overall I _______.  I liked ____________.  I didn't like __________.  I got this book from _______ and chose it because ___________ I would/wouldn't recommend this book.  I rated it ___________.

No cruise?  That's okay.  Would love to hear comments about the books I reviewed.

Review: What We Have: One Family's Inspiring Story About Love, Loss and Survival

Author: Amy Boesky

Genre: Memoir (August 2010)

About: All of the women in the author's family have died before the age of 45 from cancer. She and her two sisters grew up knowing they were in a race against the clock...they would have to hurry, get married and have children and decide whether or not to have elective surgery in order to have a chance at life.

Overall: Loved it!

Liked:  Everything.

I know, another sad someone-gets-cancer-and-dies book.  But it's so much more than that.  If you can handle - and felt a connection to - Still Alice, about Alzheimer's, you've got to read this.  I gave it 5 stars not because of the story itself but because of the connection I felt to it.  Isn't that what reading's all about? :)  Amy Boesky's writing was engaging and real and I cannot wait to read more of her work.

The relationship Amy and her sisters had with each other and their mom reminds me so much of my family...the way they'd get miffed if one of the sisters found out something before the others. "Why didn't she call ME first?" Also, the way their mom kept things about her illness from the girls to protect them is exactly what my mom would do. And how the sisters would call each other each day when she was sick, "Did you talk to mom today? Didn't she sound really bad to you?" I imagined my sister and I doing that and also trying to figure out - together, the way these sisters did - what to do about their inherited cancer gene and what their own children would likely face in the future.

Don't miss this one.

Source: Library

Why I Chose:  The premise of all the women in a family dying from cancer by age 45?  I had to know why and how and who and...yah, I'm nosy that way.

Recommend? Absolutely, yes!

Rating: 5/5

Review: Suicide by Sugar

Author: Nancy Appleton, Ph.D.

Genre: Non-fiction (2009)

About: "A Startling look at our #1 National Addiction" and "why our sweet tooth may be killing us"

Did you know that...1) The average person consumes 23 teaspoons of added sugar every day, which is 460 calories that supply no additional nutrients and upset the body's chemistry? 2) There are 10 teaspoons of sugar in a 12-ounce soda? 3) Sugar can lead to ovarian cancer and alcoholism and can cause varicose veins and juvenile delinquency, among 136 other cancers and diagnoses listed by the author.

Overall: It was eye-opening but just okay. Too scientific at times.  I skipped to the parts I was interested in.

Liked...The inside scoop (hehe) on sugar and the awareness I gained as to the amount of sugar I eat and what it does to me. I'm hypoglycemic and shouldn't eat sugar anyway, but I love gummy worms, Skittles and ice cream. According to the book, I'm addicted and need a 12-step program (yes, they really have them for sugar addicts). My new found awareness is keeping my candy-loving self in check, but I will not give up my occasional glass of wine or my caffeine every morning as recommended by the author. Man, this book is hard core.

Didn't like...how scientific and extreme the book is in it's advice to avoid sugar. Give up ketchup? Uh...not going to happen.

Source: Library

Why I chose: Hi, I'm Lynne and I'm an addict.

Recommend? Yes if you have a problem with sugar addiction, want to lose weight (because there really are only empty calories in sugar), or you are curious to know what sugar does to the body. It's not pretty.

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Addendum:   Since reading the book a few days ago, I took the time to read food labels at the grocery store, and WOW.  It's amazing how much sugar is added to food.  Some yogurts have as much as 25 grams of sugar, which is a little over 6 teaspoons.  I couldn't find any yogurt that had under 10 grams of sugar (2 1/2 teaspoons). Aaaaand I've lost two pounds since watching my sugar intake.  That's worth half a star :)

Review: One Dog at a Time: Saving the Strays of Afghanistan

Author: Pen Farthing

Genre: Memoir (2009)

About: While serving for the Royal Marines in Afghanistan, the author intervenes when he comes upon the scene of a local dog fight. One of the freed dogs finds his way into the Marine compound where Farthing is staying and eventually so do several other strays. Farthing, with a soft spot for dogs, can't resist caring for them, some of whom are pregnant, and as his tour of duty comes to an end he enlists his wife's help to rescue them.

Did you know...that dogfighting, a centuries-old tradition, is one of Afghanistan's most popular sports, and that owners cut off their dogs' ears and tails with a knife (no anesthetic) so no superficial wounds will be inflicted because of a torn ear or tail and the fights can then last longer?

Overall:  It was okay.

Liked...the courage the author showed in standing up to the dogfights and in caring for the dogs at the Marine compound, as it was not exactly in line with the rules but because he was a higher rank he got away with it. I liked the dramatic ending the best, when he had to organize the dogs' difficult trip out of Afghanistan. I also liked the few pictures on the front and back inside covers.

Didn't like...that it dragged on. Yes he had a huge heart and yes he went to a lot of trouble to save a few dogs in the compound when his duty was over, but not enough content to warrant a book. 

Source: Library

Why I chose: The cover. I couldn't resist. And of course the subtitle: Saving the Strays of Afghanistan. Always a sucker for animals. Especially strays.

Recommend:  Eh.

Rating:  3 / 5

Review: Bonobo Handshake: A Memoir of Love and Adventure in the Congo

Author: Vanessa Woods

Genre: Memoir (2010)

About: The author's life while working with bonobos in the Congo.

Did You Know... that bonobos are an extremely endangered ape that share 98.7 percent of our DNA? ...that chimpanzees live in male-dominated societies and resolve conflict with violence and war, and bonobos live in female-dominated societies and resolve conflict with sex? ...that bonobos live only in the Congo?

Overall:  Enjoyed

Liked... reading about the author's bond with the bonobos. Many of them died after she'd become emotionally attached; I can't imagine how that must have felt, especially because they were so human-like. I also liked reading about how she met her husband while doing bonobos research and some of the difficulties they had as a couple, as well as dealing with war and disease.

Didn't Like...the war and politics in the book. I was bored and skipped over a lot of it. Also, because bonobos are extremely sexual creatures, the talk about clitorises and penises and orgasms and rubbing was a little overboard. I know, it is what it is. They're animals. What are ya gonna do.

Source: Library

Why I Chose: I've seen this book around the blogosphere and I love animals. Easy choice.

Recommend? Yes, if you would be interested in reading about bonobos and how much they love sex. Just kidding. It really is fascinating how they resolve conflict with sex and what a peaceful, loving species they are.

Rating: 4/5

I plan on reading Sara Gruen's Ape House, now that I'm on a primate roll.

Review: Messages: Signs, Visits, and Premonitions from Loved Ones Lost on 9/11

Author:  Bonnie McEneaney

Genre:  Non-Fiction/Spiritual (2010)

About: The author's husband was killed in the 9/11 attack.  She tells of her own experience with messages and signs she feels her husband sends her as well as premonitions he had just prior to 9/11.  She also tells of the signs and premonitions experienced by other 9/11 families.

Descriptive Words:  Fascinating, spiritual, comfort, connections

Thoughts:  What do you think about spirits and messages sent from loved ones who've passed on?  A bunch of crock?  Read this book and you may change your mind. 
.
I loved it. What kept me from giving it 5 stars was a tad too much talk about coins as a message or sign.  She claims that many loved ones of  9/11 victims felt spouses, siblings, and parents were communicating to them through found coins, as well as the appearance of butterflies and rainbows.  But everyone finds coins. And sees butterflies. And rainbows, too, but admittedly more infrequently than coins and butterflies.  To think that every found penny is a message from heaven made me feel the author was trying too hard to read into things. Hey, I found a piece of lint...must be Aunt Gertrude telling me I need to do laundry.  Other than that the book was fascinating, and the stories of victims' premonitions in the weeks and days before the attack and the detailed phone calls to family members from those trapped in the Twin Towers were so interesting. 

Besides the author trying too hard at times to read into certain "signs,"  this book was excellent. 

Disclaimer:  I've heard stories from friends about premonitions, signs and messages, and have had personal experience, so I admit I do believe in this concept.

Source:  Library

Why I Chose:  I'm fascinated by all things 9/11.

Recommend?  YES, especially if you would be comforted to know loved ones who have passed away may be trying to communicate with you or if you've ever questioned that possibility.

Rating:  4.5 / 5

Review: Glimpsing God

Author:   Rachel Alkire

Genre:  Listed as Biography/Autobiography

About:  The author tells of several tragedies in her life:  her own near-death experience, her daughter's skull being crushed by bullies, a car accident in which her oldest son is rendered unconscious, and the diagnosis of three of her five children with an irreparable genetic brain disorder.

Descriptive Words:  Enduring faith, unbelievable trials

Thoughts:  Most of us go through trials in our lives, but thankfully not to the extent that Rachel Alkire has. 

One incident after another left this Christian author questioning God's purpose and reasoning.  Why was she being tested so severely?  What did He want from her?  First her heart stopped during a C-section.  Then her daughter's skull was broken when a child hit her with a baseball bat.  Then she was in a car accident with four of her children and her son was left unconscious.  Soon after, three of her children were diagnosed with a genetic brain disorder.  What next?

I enjoyed this honest, heartfelt story.  The writing flowed and was easy to read.  I felt sympathetic towards the author and connected with her.  Her courage to question God while enduring one incident after another - yet remaining faithful, knowing God is omniscient - was inspirational. The only aspect I didn't like was the dialogue between her and God.  It worked at first, but soon became monotonous.  "Is he dead???  No, this cannot be!  NO!  He is our promised son!  God, you didn't give him to us to take him away like this!"  Take the seat belt off. (God's voice).  And when she wasn't talking to God she was talking to herself, which, again, was fine at first but became slightly annoying by the end. 

For the most part, though, Glimpsing God was enjoyable, and I liked her conversational writing style.  I would read this author's work again. 

Source:  Arielle Roper at Bring It On! Communications -  I was not paid for this review but was given a free copy of the book.

Why I Chose:  I enjoy reading about others' misfortunes and how they are strengthened by them in the end.

Recommend?  Yes, if you like to read about others' tragedies and how their faith helps them through.

Rating:  3.5 / 5

Author's Blog

Review: Zoo Story: Life in the Garden of Captives

Author:  Thomas French

Genre:  Non-Fiction (2010)

About:  Behind the scenes look at a zoo and the animals who live there.

Descriptive Words:  Thought-provoking, politics, animal attacks, animal behavior

Interesting Tidbit:  The author was inspired to write Zoo Story after reading Life of Pi, in which the main character's family owns a zoo.

Thoughts:   My first thought...a non-fiction book about zoos and animals with no pictures?!  That really irked me. 

The main focus of this book was the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida, and I didn't care for the whole behind the scenes/political aspect. It was very negative. I realize Zoo Story is the title of the book, not Zoo Animals, but the hirings and firings and disagreements and staff turnovers turned me off.  I also didn't like that the author focused so much on only one zoo. Is this how all zoos are?  Do they all have CEOs with volatile management styles like Lex Salisbury, whose nickname is El Diablo Blanco (The White Devil) and who cares more about his status in society than the care of the animals?  Lord, I hope not.

What I did like was getting to know some of the animals in depth, i.e., tigers Eric and Enshalla, and a chimp named Herman.  Herman was rescued and raised as a baby by a family, who, when he grew and became more difficult to handle, gave him to the zoo, where he lived for 16 years.  The story about his life and tragic death there was sad.  I also enjoyed the different stories about animal attacks on zookeepers and zoo patrons. 

I'm still on the fence about zoos in general. Their dedication to continuing the species of rare and endangered animals is praiseworthy, and zookeepers do their best to care for the animals.  But have you ever seen a tiger rhythmically pacing back and forth in his enclosure hour after hour? That breaks me heart.

Source:  Library

Why I Chose:  The cover / I love animals / I was curious to see how the author would portray zoos

Recommend?  Yes if you want to know the inside (and mostly negative) scoop about the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa; otherwise, no.  But I did enjoy the in-depth emotional stories about the animals.

Rating:  3.5 / 5  

Review: 1001 Books for Every Mood

Author: Hallie Ephron, Ph.D.

Genre: Non-Fiction (2008)

About: A compilation of books for certain moods.

Descriptive Words: Books, books, books

Thoughts: Does anyone else love as much as I do books about books? I never get tired of them.

Don't read this one if you don't want to add to your wish lists. In the most self-disciplined way I could possibly manage, I added only 10 books to my wish list. I know, I'm proud. It could have been worse.

I loved how this book broke the categories down into moods (duh, good thing, since that's what it's about): for a Good Laugh, for a Good Cry, for Action, for Revenge. And not just typical moods, either. The author got creative: for a Shot in the Arm, for a Kick in the Pants, to Join the Circus, and to Slide Down the Rabbit Hole - never heard of that kind of mood, but...

In each mood category there were several pages of books along with a thorough description of each. Also included was a literary merit rating of 1-4 stars and a small icon denoting if the book was provocative, influential, inspirational, humorous, brainy, easy reading, page turner, challenging, bathroom book, family friendly, and movie.

Fun, fun!

Source: Library

Why I Chose: Because I cannot pass up a book about books.

Recommend? Yes

Rating: 5/5

Review: Life is a Verb

Author: Patti Digh

Genre: Self-help / life (2008)

About: Not your typical self-help book. More like a "life" book and how to enjoy it fully.

Descriptive Words: "What would you be doing today if you only had 37 days to live?"

Thoughts: Wow.

That's it.

Just kidding, but I borrowed this book from the library after seeing it on Molly's blog - My Cozy Book Nook and I wish I had my own copy. Molly loved the book so much that she's focusing on one statement in the book a week. If you're a writer or just enjoy writing, you'll love the Free Write exercises in the book.

The author focuses on six practices: Intensity, (say yes), Inclusion (be generous), Integrity (speak up), Intimacy (love more), Intuition (trust yourself), Intention (slow down). The book is made up of colorful, whimsical pages with random sayings everywhere: Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions ~ The Dalai Lama. Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way ~ Edward de Bono. Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses ~ George Washington Carver.

This is a book not to read but to savor and experience. Lovely, yummy, juicy.

Source: Library

Why I Chose: I saw it on Molly's My Cozy Book Nook blog, and I love books that suggest ways to live life to the fullest.

Recommend? Yes, absolutely.

Rating: 5/5

Other Reviews:

Sarah Morgan
My Cozy Book Nook
Women on Writing - author interview
Patti Digh - Author's blog